09
September
2021
|
15:42 PM
America/Chicago

Dr. Catherine Howard Serving as Interim Honors Program Director

Dr. Catherine Howard

Dr. Catherine Howard has been named Interim Honors Program Director and officially assumed the position on Sept. 1 for a one-year interim appointment.

Dr. Howard has been a member of the UHD faculty since fall of 1993. She began her service to the Gator Community as an adjunct, served three years as a Visiting Assistant Professor, and has just completed her 12th year as a lecturer in the English Department. Along with contributing to UHD’s Technical Communication and English programs, Dr. Howard has served on a variety of UHD committees, working on program assessment needs as well as the core curriculum. Dr. Howard was also integral in working with ESO on editing the Staff Handbook.

Outside of her extensive commitment to UHD and our students, Dr. Howard taught in the Honors College at UH for 4 years. Her experience in a variety of administrative positions across the academy and strong sense of student advocacy as well as her familiarity with university procedures will inform her leadership and contributions to the continued growth of UHD’s Honors Program.

The UHD Honors Program was launched in August 2014 and currently serves approximately 130 students and is known as one of the most diverse programs in the country. The Honors Program is a thriving learning community with sections being offered in disciplines across UHD. This approach not only encourages critical thinking and civic engagement, but brings together students from different majors resulting in a collaborative supportive environment.

Interim Provost Dr. Akif Uzman remarks, “I am very excited and thankful to have Dr. Howard take on the role of Interim Director of the Honors Program. I believe her passion for UHD students will serve our Honors Students well as she brings her rich understanding of honors programs from our neighboring universities to her directorship at UHD.”

Dr. Howard said, “I am so happy to serve in this role and be a part of the Honors community here at UHD. I eagerly anticipate working closely with these students as we look forward to the direction the Honors Program will take with its next permanent Director.”

During the coming year, the Office of the Provost will work with faculty and academic leadership to determine the process for and selection of the next Director.

 

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.